A Healthcare Commission report into Stoke Mandeville hospital in Aylesbury, published last year, found that pressure to meet the A&E target led to the deadly spread of the Clostridium difficile bug. That report said "the approach to the target for A&E led to some patients with infections being admitted to, or moved to, open wards rather than isolation facilities".

In the latest report, the commission said trusts "must ensure that the safety of patients is never subordinated to other priorities".